Beef tallow diet decreases norepinephrine turnover rates in rat hypothalamus and cerebral cortex

The effects of dietary fats consisting of different fatty acids on norepinephrine (NE) turnover rates in various brain regions were studied in rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were meal-fed isoenergetic diets based on safflower oil or beef tallow for 8 weeks. Body weight gain during the experimental period did not differ between the two groups of rats. The weights of brain regions were also similar in the two diet groups. Basal NE contents and turnover rates in the hypothalamus and cortex were significantly lower in rats fed the beef tallow diet versus the safflower oil diet. These results suggest that the beef tallow diet reduces noradrenergic functions in brain regions as compared with the safflower oil diet in rats.